More Than 600 New Laws In Effect As Of Sept. 1, 2021
AUSTIN – Over 600 new laws signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott went into effect Sept. 1, 2021, in the state of Texas. These new laws, including the Heartbeat Bill, constitutional carry legislation, and laws that protect law enforcement, were passed during the 87th Legislative Session.
“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success, and many of the laws going into effect today will ensure a safer, freer, healthier, and more prosperous Texas,” Governor Abbott said on Sept. 1. “I look forward to my continued work with the legislature to build upon these successes and create an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.”
A full list of new laws can be found here.
Included in the new laws are:
House Bill 9 enhances the criminal penalty to a state jail felony offense for anyone who knowingly blocks an emergency vehicle or obstructs access to a hospital or health care facility.
House Bill 103 creates an Active Shooter Alert System in Texas.
House Bill 365 creates civil liability protections for farmers and ranchers.
House Bill 547 allows home-schooled students to participate in UIL activities.
House Bill 957 repeals the criminal offense of possessing, manufacturing, transporting, or repairing a firearm silencer. It also ensures that any firearm suppressor manufactured in Texas, and that remains in Texas, will not be subject to federal law or federal regulation.
House Bill 1500 prevents any government entity from prohibiting the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster or emergency.
House Bill 1900 penalizes cities that defund their police departments. The law freezes property tax revenues for cities with a population over 250,000 that defund the police. Under this law, cities that defund the police will lose their annexation powers for 10 years and any area annexed by a defunding city in the past 30 years can vote to dis-annex from the city. It also allows the State of Texas to withhold sales taxes collected by a defunding city and give it to the Texas Department of Public Safety to pay for the cost of state resources used to protect residents of a defunded municipality.
House Bill 1925 prohibits camping in public spaces.
House Bill 1927 authorizes Constitutional Carry in Texas, meaning law-abiding Texans can legally carry a handgun without a license to carry.
House Bill 2366 enhances criminal penalties for the use of laser pointers and creates an offense for the use of fireworks to harm or obstruct the police.
House Bill 2622 makes Texas a Second Amendment Sanctuary State by protecting Texans from new federal gun control regulations.
House Bill 3257 creates the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission.
House Bill 3712 provides increased training and transparency during the hiring process for peace officers.
Senate Bill 8 (“The Heartbeat Bill”) bans abortion the moment a baby’s heartbeat is detected in the womb.
Senate Bill 13 prohibits state contracts and investments with companies that boycott energy companies.
Senate Bill 19 prohibits any governmental entity from contracting with any business that discriminates against firearm and ammunition businesses or organizations.
Senate Bill 20 allows guests to store firearms in their hotel rooms.
Senate Bill 24 requires police departments to review files of applicants before they are hired to ensure officers with a negative history aren’t passed between departments.
Senate Bill 550 removes the shoulder or belt holster requirements, allowing Texans to carry firearms in whatever kind of holster they choose.
Senate Bill 576 creates a felony offense for the smuggling of people into Texas.
Senate Bill 768 enhances criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl in Texas.
Lady Cats Basketball 2021-2022 Season Schedule Released
On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Wildcats football head coach and Athletic Director of SSISD Greg Owens released the Lady Cats basketball 2021-22 season schedule.
New Lady Cats basketball coach Erica Delley and her squad will no doubt be ready to get their season underway when they take part in two twi-matches to open their season:
- Saturday, Oct. 30 is at Lone Oak, taking on Cumby and the host Lone Oak
- and the following Tuesday, Nov. 2 will be against Paris and Rains, in the SSHS Main Gym
After that, the Lady Cats will be taking on Winnsboro, Tyler Legacy and Mesquite Horn before participating in their first tournament of the year, in Bells on Thursday and Saturday, November 19 and 21.
Once their first tournament is over in Bells, the Lady Cats will play three games over eight days before participating in their second-to-last tournament of the 2021-22 season in Glen Rose starting on Thursday, Dec. 2.
Two more games, against New Boston and at Coach Delley’s high school alma mater of Dallas Kimball on Dec. 7 and 10 lead the Lady Cats in to their winter district season.
Their district games are as follows:
- Dec. 14 at Mt. Pleasant — 6:15 P.M.
- Dec. 17 versus Texas High — 6:15 P.M.
- Dec. 20 at Marshall — 2:30 P.M.
- Jan. 4 versus Pine Tree — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 11 at Hallsville — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 14 versus Longview — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 18 versus Mt. Pleasant — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 21 at Texas High — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 25 versus Marshall — 6:15 P.M.
- Jan. 28 at Pine Tree — 6:15 P.M.
- Feb. 4 versus Hallsville — 6:15 P.M.
- Feb. 8 at Longview — 6:15 P.M.
All games in bold are home, and all times listed are varsity teams. For district foes that have junior varsity teams, JV plays at 5 P.M. and the varsity will follow at 6:15 P.M.
In addition, an appreciation night will be held during these games:
- Jan. 14 versus Longview is middle school night
- and Feb. 4 versus Hallsville is senior night
For the full 2021-22 Lady Cats basketball season schedule, click here.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
DPS Encourages Safety For Labor Day Holiday
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety encourages everyone to drive safely as they celebrate the unofficial end of summer during the long Labor Day weekend. The Texas Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6, looking for people not wearing their seat belts, speeders, people driving while intoxicated and drivers who fail to follow the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.
“DPS is reminding all drivers that safety always comes first,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “While long weekends are a time to get out and enjoy, we all need to do our part to keep roads safe, and that is why Troopers will be out ensuring everyone is following the traffic laws.”
During the 2020 Labor Day holiday, Troopers issued 71,544 citations and warnings. This included 9,239 citations for speeding; 1,088 seat belt and child safety restraint citations; 1,419 citations for no insurance; and 534 warnings and citations for Move Over, Slow Down violations. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 402 DWI arrests, 802 felony arrests and 200 fugitive arrests.
Drivers are encouraged to follow these tips during the Labor Day holiday:
- Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you’re consuming alcohol.
- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2021, there have been 8,950 violations.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
- Know your route before beginning your trip.
- Don’t drive fatigued. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
- On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
- If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm of a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, you’re violating the law.
- Don’t cut in front of large trucks, and try not to brake quickly in front of them, if possible. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it’s properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
- Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you’re traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.
Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort) will run simultaneously. Operation CARE is an initiative among police agencies across the country, including the Texas Highway Patrol. It increases enforcement efforts during designated periods throughout the year, including holidays like Labor Day.
Wildcats Football Head Coach Greg Owens Discusses Frisco Loss and Upcoming Lovejoy
Wildcats football head coach Greg Owens thought overall, his team fought and never quit in their season opener last Friday against Frisco High School.
He said that his team showed a lot of improvement over the course of the second to fourth quarters in the loss to the Raccoons.
A big part of season openers, Coach Owens said, is grappling with emotions and the spotlight that comes with Friday night lights.
He said that many of his players and Frisco’s had not seen game-time action yet, so it is only natural that players need some time to get their sea legs.
Coach Owens said a lot of that comes with experience.
On the topic of experience, though, the Wildcats program will be hard-pressed to find another team on their schedule with as much experience as Lovejoy.
The Leopards have almost two dozen returning players from their 2020 roster, and even with losing a number of starters from last year’s team, like QB R.W. Rucker, Coach Owens said that a reloaded Leopards team is not one to be trifled with.
Coach Owens said Lovejoy’s 2021 team, even with an offensive line returning no starters, has a number of players, like Jaxson Lavender and Noah Naidoo who will give Coach McCain’s defense headaches if they cannot find a way to limit their output.
The Wildcats football head coach said the Leopards will try to throw the football, and took it one step further by saying Lucas’s football team is predicated on stretching the field and making you go deep.
One of the keys to victory for last week’s game, according to the Wildcats football head coach, carries over to Friday’s match-up; consistency on both sides of the ball.
Sulphur Springs gave up a number of turnovers, which makes it difficult for even the best teams to overcome and claim victory.
If the Wildcats give up turnovers, a top-10 program like Lovejoy will surely exploit the changes in momentum.
Moving over to the defense, the Leopards have only three returning starters from last year’s team, but one starter, Phillip Joest, will be tough for any offense to work around.
A senior Mike linebacker, Joest was first team All-state, first-team all-district, and the district leading tackler last year.
Lovejoy has an odd-based, or 3-3 stack defense (TCU, under Gary Patterson, uses this as a variant formation) that features a lot of funky looks and formations all in the hopes of junking up the offense.
Coach Owens said the Leopards defense are “Moving guys everywhere in every direction.”
The Wildcats football coach expects to see a lot of blitzing from Lovejoy.
One thing is for sure, Coach Owens and his staff will be tested early and often when they travel to Lucas on Friday, Sept. 3 to take on the Lovejoy Leopards.
The game is set to kick-off at 7 P.M.
KSST has been granted access to livestream Friday’s match on our Youtube channel, but whether we can livestream from Leopard Stadium is contingent upon internet access from Lucas’s press box.
Regardless of livestream capabilities, the game will be broadcasted over the radio on KSST 1230 AM.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
With Talent to Spare and a Song to Share, Sydnee Hawkins Goes for the NFR ‘National Anthem’ Contest
(photo credit Amy Hale)
Just coming off her singing role as Medda Larkin in ‘Newsies”, Sydnee wasted no time in locating the ‘next big thing’ in her life as a singer, and this indeed may be big! She is competing for the honor of singing the National Anthem during a performance of the National Finals Rodeo this December in Las Vegas. “This contest is super exciting, and the NFR is indeed the top cowboy entertainment event in the US. “It would be so fabulous to get that honor, so please vote for me through Facebook!”” Sydnee is one of many youth from across the country competing and hoping to advance in the process by vote count. You can vote once per e-mail address through Monday September13. Sydnee’s got a good fan base locally and should be in the top vote-getters and advance to the second round.
Selected this summer for a major role in the musical “Newsies”, the soprano feels it was a huge thrill to appear on the stage of the Greenville Municipal Auditorium along with numerous other youthful singers and dancers from across the area. Sydnee was a stand-out, being labeled a ‘diva to-be’ by an arts critic! “There was a ton of amazing choreography for the play, wonderful showstopping scores and professional direction. It’s a great job they do in the Greenville Family Theater. Also, this October, another stage production company, GreenvilleWorks, will stage “The Little Shop of Horrors”.Sydnee will serve as Vocal Director working closely with all departments from sound and lighting to makeup, costuming and the team of Directors, including Pip Bickford. She will also appear as Chrystal, one of the Doo-Wop Girls. And on top of that, she’s singing again with the NE Texas Choral Society for the Christmas Concert coming up in Sulphur Springs during the first weekend of December. A staple in the chorus, she was one of the first high-schoolers to join their ranks. Now Sydnee says that her years in Choral Society has served to shape her into the singer and performer she has become. Here at home in Sulphur Springs, she’s also on the worship team at her church and has a job that keeps her busy all week.
“Going to New York City and getting immersed in the arts atmosphere there is a big thrill,and quite inspiring! I have loved every trip I’ve made there. But honestly, I’d like to work in Branson. It’s a little more small-town than NYC, but the level of entertainment they produce there is at the top. There’s Christian and family-friendly entertainment that I’d love to be involved in, and get exposure to all aspects of entertainment, from singing to dancing to acting right there in a safer, friendlier place like Branson. I pray that God leads me to a good place where I can make people smile”.
Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport Receiving $1.9 Million Runway, Taxiway Rehabilitation
Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport has been undergoing improvements over the past month, and soon is scheduled to close for about 10 days for rehab on the runway.
This $1.9 million runway and taxiway surface rehabilitation project which began in early August is 90 percent funded by a Texas Department of Transportation grant. All the concrete and asphalt surfaces on the operations side will be completely rehabilitated and the ramp will be significantly enlarged. Just before the project began city officials reported the runway was expected to be closed for a total of 9 days over three different times.
Phase 1 of the runway and taxiway surface rehab project was scheduled to begin Aug. 10, with work expected to take about 90 days. Runway 1/19 was expected to be closed for 12 days during the project. Rain delayed completion of the project, so Phase 2 was to get under way on Aug. 17, with Phase 1 resuming as soon as weather permitted.
However, Phase 2 also got delayed by weather, pushing the start of that part of the project back to The week of Aug. 23-this week, allowing all surfaces to open Aug. 21-22.
Last weekend, all surfaces except taxiway A between taxiway B and approach end of runway 1 were open. Phase 3 of the project was slated this week, with the terminal ramp closed to all traffic through Sept. 3. Full service is available from the midfield ramp as needed. The first runway closure is not scheduled for Sept. 13-21.
On Thursday morning, a crew worked ceiling cracks in the surface. They are portioning off the taxiway and in a few weeks are expected to shut the runway down for 10 days to perform rehab work, getting it all done at one time.
Airport patrons and visitors are encouraged to check NOTAMs regularly and contact UNICOM (123.075), or direct questions to the Airport office at 903-885-4911.
Walmart In Sulphur Springs Closing For Cleaning
The Walmart store Sulphur Springs will be temporarily closed beginning at 2 p.m. today Sept. 2, 2021, for additional cleaning, sanitizing, and stocking. The announcement was made on the Walmart Sulphur Springs Facebook page at 10:44 a.m. Sept. 2. The notice states the store is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. Sept. 4, 2021.
Walmart Pharmacy will continue to offer curbside service during normal pharmacy hours while the store is closed. Call 903-885-1578 to schedule a pharmacy pickup.
According to Walmart’s media relations department, the closure is a “company-initiated program to allow third party cleaning crews time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building.” The closure will continue Friday, Sept. 3, to give store associates time to restock shelves and prepare the store to reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday.
Walmart Senior Manager for Corporate Communications Tyler Thomason released the following statement around noon Thursday regarding the store’s closure from 2 p.m. Sept. 2 to 6 a.m. Sept. 4:
As an essential business and a member of the Sulphur Springs, TX community, we understand the role we play in providing our customers with food, medicine and other essential items, especially at this time.
As you know, several areas across the country have begun seeing a renewed increase in positive COVID-19 cases, and we want to assist health officials working against the pandemic. In support of this effort, we have chosen to temporarily close our Sulphur Springs, TX store location at 1750 S Broadway Street, today at 2 p.m. as part of a company-initiated program. This will allow extra time for a third-party specialist to further sanitize the store and will also give our associates additional time to restock shelves and prepare the store to once again serve the community. We plan to reopen the store to customers at 6 a.m. on Sept. 4.
Everything we’re doing is for the well-being of our associates and the thousands of customers we serve daily, and in consideration of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and health experts. Given the rise in positive cases through the Delta variant, we will follow CDC guidance, which includes fully vaccinated people wearing masks in public indoor settings in counties with substantial or high transmission.
In these counties and where there are state or local mask mandates, associates will be required to wear masks inside our facilities, including stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. You can find the county-by-county breakdownhere. The CDC updates its data on transmission rates weekly, so the guidance on mask usage is likely to change over time in different locations.
When the store reopens on Saturday, we will continue conducting associate health assessments, and all unvaccinated associates must still wear face coverings.
In addition to offering COVID-19 vaccines to customers through walk-in or online appointments, we’re also offering easy access to vaccines for associates. Associates can receive their vaccinations at their home store pharmacy, on or off the clock.
Should associates choose to schedule their vaccinations elsewhere, we will provide two hours of paid leave. Associates who receive the vaccine are given a $150 bonus for doing so and up to three days paid leave, should they experience an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
These protocols and convenient access to vaccinations are in addition to the extensive measures we’ve put in place during the pandemic to help protect our associates and customers. We will continue working closely with elected and local health officials, adjusting how we serve the community while also keeping the health and safety of our customers and associates in mind.
Tyler Thomason, Senior Manager | Corporate Communications, Walmart
PBR World Finals Moves to Fort Worth, Texas in 2022 after Las Vegas Hosts Final Premier Series Championship Event in 2021
2022 season to run January-May, concluding at Dickies Arena for seven-day PBR World Finals spanning two weekends
PBR (Professional Bull Riders) today announced that bull riding’s most prestigious event, the PBR World Finals, will move to Fort Worth, Texas, and Dickies Arena starting in 2022 as part of a comprehensive schedule restructure for its premier series. The new PBR Unleash The Beast regular season will span from January-May, culminating with a seven-day championship festival, spanning two weekends of bull riding and fan activities, in Fort Worth.
The changes will go into effect immediately after the 2021 PBR World Finals which will conclude the current season in Las Vegas, Nevada, at T-Mobile Arena Nov. 3-7.
“We were excited to host the 2020 PBR World Finals in Texas, and we are proud to now welcome the most intense bull riding competition with the most engaged fans back to the Lone Star State in the 2022 season,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Fort Worth is the Modern West, and there is no better place for the PBR World Finals to call their new long-term home. I congratulate the PBR, the City of Fort Worth, and Mayor Mattie Parker on this world champion partnership that will showcase Texas as the premier sports-entertainment destination, spur continuing tourism and travel, and bring new jobs to Fort Worth and beyond.”
“This has been an incredible team effort with PBR, Governor Abbott, our Fort Worth Sports Commission and so many others,” Mayor Mattie Parker said. “Fort Worth is the gold standard for public-private partnerships and we are marshaling all our resources to roll out the red carpet for the PBR World Finals.”
“This is a historic win for Fort Worth. Powered by Dickies Arena and a community committed to hospitality, we are excited to announce this latest, significant sports event for our city. Welcoming the PBR World Finals beginning in 2022 shows how Fort Worth is attracting the most exciting and important events in professional sports,” said Jason Sands, director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission, a division of Visit Fort Worth. This year the Sports Commission welcomed more than 40 events worth more than $100 million in economic impact.
“These landmark changes give the PBR season greater continuity and allow the league to hold our crown jewel, the World Finals, in the heart of cowboy country surrounded by exciting fan entertainment activities,” said Sean Gleason, PBR CEO and Commissioner. “PBR World Finals will now have a two-week presence throughout Fort Worth, making the Metroplex the must-visit, sports-entertainment destination, every May. We are ecstatic to work with our incredible partners in Fort Worth, as we usher in a new era adding to the rich history of our World Finals and continue to bring new programming to Fort Worth. We look forward to the many opportunities to grow the PBR World Finals and sport as a whole here in Texas.”
The schedule changes follow PBR’s announcement in June of a landmark joint venture with Stockyards Heritage Development Co. and ASM Global to bring dozens of annual new western sports, music and entertainment events to Cowtown Coliseum and the historic Stockyards District.
The inaugural PBR World Finals in Fort Worth will be held from May 13-22, 2022, at Dickies Arena, headlining an action-packed two weeks of activities across Fort Worth.
Harkening back to a past format of the World Finals, reminiscent of when the year-end event was split between Mandalay Bay and Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the first three rounds of the 2022, PBR World Finals will be held May 13-15, with the final five rounds held from May 19-22.
“Dickies Arena is proud to welcome the World Finals to Texas and celebrate 30 years of PBR in our new state-of-the-art facility. We are excited to host PBR in another national capacity and look forward to showcasing the city of Fort Worth to PBR fans from across North America,” said Matt Homan, president and general manager of Dickies Arena.
In addition to Dickies Arena, the league will also bring World Finals-related events and programming to Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Convention Center and the Will Rogers Complex in Fort Worth, and the flagship PBR Bar at Texas Live!, boasting a 7,000 square-foot balcony overlooking Arlington Backyard, one of the region’s top concert venues, in nearby Arlington.
PBR has held its annual championship in Las Vegas since the sport was founded, with the exception of 2020 when the World Finals were held in Arlington, Texas due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The PBR will continue to visit Las Vegas with significant, to be announced events.
“We would like to thank the City of Las Vegas for being such an incredible host to the PBR World Finals for nearly three decades,” said Gleason. “While we are excited about the move to Texas, Las Vegas will continue to hold marquee PBR events, which will be announced in the coming months.”
The 2022 PBR season will now span January-May, with subsequent seasons starting in 2023 lasting from November-May.
The 2022 campaign will include a minimum of 20 elite Unleash The Beast events, stopping in stalwart venues in cities such as Madison Square Garden in New York City, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City and MetraPark in Billings, Montana.
Ticketing information for the 2022 PBR World Finals in Fort Worth and regular season Unleash The Beast events, in addition to a complete season schedule, will be announced in the coming weeks.
PBR will hold events in the months following the 2022 PBR World Finals in May until the next Unleash The Beast regular season begins in January 2023. The league will provide updates on those plans in the near future.
Tickets are still available for the 2021 PBR World Finals.
Marking the year-end event’s final time in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena, tickets for the five-day event range in price from $27 to $351. Fans can purchase tickets at the T-Mobile Arena Box Office, pbr.com, at AXS.com, or by phone through the PBR Customer Service Department at 800-732-1727.
About PBR (Professional Bull Riders):
PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 500 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top 35 bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. PBR’s digital assets include PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, which is home to Western sports. PBR is a subsidiary of IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
Hopkins County’s Highest Monthly COVID Case Count Recorded In August 2021
August 2021 has been the worst month yet, with the highest monthly COVID case count of 397 confirmed cases and 573 total cases reported for Hopkins County, and September is already off to a fast pace as well with 61 new COVID-19 cases reported by Texas Department of State Health Services on Sept. 1, 2021.
Prior to August 2021, the most lab-confirmed cases recorded for Hopkins County during a single month this year was 247 in January. The 397 lab-confirmed COVID cases recorded for Hopkins County in August even exceeds the previous pandemic high 323 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in October 2020.
If the first day of September 2021 is anything to go by, this month’s case count could be even higher than August, with 43 new lab-confirmed cases reported on Wednesday. The last time that many Hopkins County residents were reported to have lab-confirmed cases of COVID in a single day was Dec. 3, 2020; a total of 44 new confirmed cases were recorded that day. In fact, that’s more cases confirmed among Texans with a Hopkins County zip code on Sept. 1, 2021, than the cumulative 32 new confirmed cases reported during the entire month of April 2021. Overall, from Jan. 1-Sept. 1, 2021, 1,393 Hopkins County residents have receive lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test results. Cumulatively, since March of 2020, 2,472 lab-confirmed COVID cases have been reported for Hopkins County.
So far, the most probable COVID cases reported in a single month since the state on Dec. 11 began daily reporting the number of cases identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis was 193 in December, followed by the 176 in August 2021 and 153 in January 2021. Eighteen new probable cases were logged for Hopkins County on Sept. 1, one more than on Aug. 4; the most probable cases reported for Hopkins County in a single day in 2021 so far has been 21 on Jan. 1, and so far during the pandemic has been 22 on Dec. 16, 2021. Overall, that’s 824 probable COVID cases reported in 2021 and 3,906 since the state began tracking the data last fall.
| COVID Category | 8/31/21 | 9/1/21 |
|---|---|---|
| New Molecular Cases | 22 | 43 |
| Confirmed Cases | 2429 | 2472 |
| New probable Cases | 10 | 18 |
| Cumulative Probable Cases | 1926 | 1944 |
| Active Cases | 324 | 368 |
| Daily Recoveries | 16 | 17 |
| Total Recoveries | 3906 | 3923 |
| Cumulative Total cases | 4355 | 4416 |
| COVID Unit | 27 | 25 |
| Deaths | 0 | 0 |
| Total Fatalities | 125 | 125 |
That’s 573 Hopkins County residents reported to have COVID-19 during the month of August, even more than the 483 new cases reported in December 2020 and 400 in January 2021. Cumulatively, since March 2020, a total of 4,416 COVID-19 cases have been recorded for Hopkins County, including the 61 new cases reported on Sept. 1.
Unfortunately, for the first time in more than 2 months COVID fatalities were reported for Hopkins County. Prior to Aug. 6, the last time a county resident died from COVID was May 30. While only four county residents died from the virus in May of 2021, 11 Hopkins County residents’ deaths in August have been confirmed by death certificate as a direct result of COVID-19 – the same number of COVID deaths reported for Hopkins County in both September and November of 2020. In 2021, the only month so far with more COIVD-19 deaths was January, when 15 died for the virus. The worst months of the pandemic so far in terms of deaths were October and December when 29 and 26 Hopkins County residents died from the virus. That brings the total number of COVID fatalities to 41 so far this year and 125 since the pandemic began during spring break in March of 2020 for Hopkins County.
A total of 368 Hopkins County residents were estimated to have recovered from COVID-19 as of Aug. 31, 2021, five more than in January 2021, but as many as reported in December, which included 810 recoveries on Dec. 11, the day DSHS started included probable new cases and recoveries. Overall, that’s 1,849 COVID recoveries in 2021 and 3,923 cumulatively for Hopkins County since the pandemic began in 2020.
That left 324 people who still actively had COVID-19 on Aug. 31, the most Hopkins County residents reported to actively have COVID during the first seven months of the year was 263 active cases on Jan. 23, 2021, and the most Hopkins County residents said to actively have COIVD-19 on any previous day during the pandemic was 273 on Dec. 14, 2020. The 324 active cases is quite a jump from the 108 on Aug. 1, 2021. In fact, July 31 was the first time since April 6, 2021 that the active case count has been a three digit number – the active case count for Hopkins dropped from 136 on April 6 to no cases from April 7-20, 2021. The active case count on Sept. 1 rose to 368.
Como-Pickton High School Principal Kelly Baird Recognized As TASSP Region 8 Outstanding Principal
Como-Pickton High School Principal Kelly Baird was recognized as Texas Association of Secondary Principals’ Region 8 Outstanding High School Principal of the year today (Sept. 1, 2021). He received his award in front of representatives of the 46 different schools in the region. Congratulations to Mr. Baird on this recognition.
Kelly Baird in July 2017 accepted the top campus job at CPHS, which allowed him to work closer to his home in Mount Vernon. Prior to that, he had been driving to Texarkana to work as the 9th grade principal. He’d considered retiring after 26 years in education, but decided he enjoys it too much to give it up, and accepted the position in Texas High School. When a former colleague recommended him for the CPHS job, Baird interviewed in 2017 with Dr. Greg Baird, who hadn’t been on the job too long himself. He said he had heard about the heard a lot of great things about the students and staff, the community at Como-Pickton and was excited to become part of that tradition.
While Baird’s official duties are to serve as the top administrator for his campus, Baird in an interview after being hired at CPCISD in 2017 said had is not averse to pitching in to help in the classroom or whatever capacity, if needed. He said he loves the classroom, and working with kids and teachers. He believes it’s important for kids to see their administrators at games and competitions, to know someone is there for them.
He spent 10 years in construction, before deciding at age 30 to attend college to become a teacher. After earning a bachelor of science from East Texas State University, Baird’s first teaching job allowed him to share his love of math by teaching everything from algebra to AP calculus, at Quitman ISD.
In 2000, Baird transferred to Mount Vernon ISD, In 2000, where he added coaching to his list of duties. He remained at Mount Vernon ISD until 2016. He also attained his middle management and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and event went on to earn a superintendent’s certificate TAMUC while employed at the school, and eventually became and administrator there. However, Baird says, once teacher always a teacher. As a principal he still works with students and teachers, just in a different capacity.
That love of job, students and staff, and willingness to work as needed wherever, whenever to become the puzzle piece needed for the good the students hasn’t gone unnoticed by students, staff, parents an colleagues.
